Ronald Acuña Jr. is already one of the most exciting and entertaining players in baseball, and his personality on the field — along with his talent — is a huge reason for that.
The guy simply knows how to put on a show, and that is especially true whenever Acuña makes appearances in the Venezuelan league during the offseason. The Atlanta Braves star had himself a viral celebration this week when his fourth-inning home run on a 3-0 count gave his hometown Tiburones de La Guaira a two-run lead.
Acuña unleashed just about every celebration you could imagine in the 33-second home run trot.
Baseball Twitter will have a field day with this one from @ronaldacunajr24 pic.twitter.com/YdCpiVkBEg
— Michael Schlact (@michael_schlact) January 25, 2023
Tiburones would end up losing the game, 8-5, to go down 0-2 in the series against Leones del Caracas. But shortly after the game, Acuña announced his retirement from the league in an Instagram Story before deleting his Instagram account all together. That had some speculating that criticism over his celebration was behind the abrupt retirement. However, Acuña’s family was reportedly attacked during an altercation in the stands that game.
Ronald Acuña Jr. publicó en sus historias de la red social Instagram pic.twitter.com/SX5u1Jg4e5
— Mari Montes 🇻🇪 ⚾️🐾🫓🎵🏳️🌈 (@porlagoma) January 25, 2023
But if the celebration had anything to do with Acuña’s supposed retirement from the Venezuelan league, that would be a shame. There’s nothing wrong with a big-league star enjoying himself while playing for his hometown team.
Fans had plenty of thoughts on the celebration, but honestly, it was great. Baseball needs more of that.
This was how Twitter reacted
Legend. This is authentic and celebrated in their culture. I love it. Most of Americans are too boring to understand or accept it. Need more of this in the MLB! 🗣️ https://t.co/o5ZhyLrsGc
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) January 25, 2023
Keep the game alive. If this is what it takes, this is what it takes. We all saw those kids playing basketball that went viral. Kids want to have fun while playing, let them copy the stars https://t.co/frNnDQ8t8A
— Jimmy Heaters (@TheBucksGuy) January 26, 2023
Our guys get this hype on RBI singles and we will not apologize for it. Golf claps aren’t for baseball games ¯_(ツ)_/¯ https://t.co/8j4YQ8BB0i
— Sebastian Caballero (@coachcaballero) January 26, 2023
i’m all for celebrations but doing this in the 4th inning of a venezuelan league game is crazy https://t.co/6bYLMyZtsn
— amare (@notamare_) January 26, 2023
Newest life goal of mine is to go watch a game in a Latin American country. The passion for the game from the fans and players is palpable. https://t.co/7ZyOR7oR2p
— jake murphy (@Jak3Murphy) January 26, 2023
😂😂Acuna’s brain when he was trying to figure out which celebration to do do. https://t.co/DBsE6AWfEp pic.twitter.com/k46v1lVC6G
— Future Of The Retro (@TraeK_) January 26, 2023
I honestly would love this in the MLB. Never understood why it’s so frowned upon for hitters to flex their 💣’s. https://t.co/6KhqZS1mRD
— 🌵 Cheydon Krysl (@CheydonKrysl) January 26, 2023
Imagine he did this to the Mets in New York 😭😭 3-0 solo shot in the 4th inning MLB would fine him and his extended family https://t.co/jfGlGCBBJD
— Elliot Ranson (@elliotranson11) January 26, 2023
I thought this was a Key and Peele skit. He just doesn’t stop! https://t.co/OdwSqA7NEC
— Brock Bates (@brbates616) January 26, 2023
I feel sorry for all the little leaguers whose dad watched this and decided to turn it into a lecture on “respecting the game” https://t.co/sQHSWMbxgh
— Jack Howard (@jho__06) January 26, 2023
I’m guessing this never happened with @24_7Farnsworth on the mound. https://t.co/JSLW0HoP3Q
— Lenny Dykstra (@LennyDykstra) January 26, 2023
I love it. Baseball is meant to be fun, need to stop trying to regulate harmless fun https://t.co/1eBUpjAIzv
— Sam or Sammie (@SammieIsSam) January 26, 2023
We’ll see if Acuña suits up for Game 3 or if he is really done. What a way to go out, though.
